How far would you go?

I am a news junkie....every morning, at least two newspapers, three morning news shows on television, and my usual new sources online. This morning's newspaper resonated with a sad reflection on the time we live in. Why do people make the choices they do? What hidden ambition, desire, or stupidity makes otherwise intelligent people do stupid things?

Since I love sports, let me begin with the sad state of competitive sports:

Golf- Kelly Tilghman is on a 2 week suspension from the golf Channel for making a wisecrack about Tiger Woods on the air....what was she thinking?

Baseball- Steroids: the two terms are synonymous. The US Olympic Committee is now joined by MLB and the NFL in conducting anti-doping research and collaboration. Remember how we felt when it was clear Eastern communist countries made a habit of cheating during the Olympics? How fair was that? And how can anyone justify giving themselves an unfair advantage? And don't you dare say "but everyone else does it...."

SPYGATE: The Pats play tonight-trying to go for 17-0. Was it really that big a deal? Or was it just good coaching.


Marion Jones is going to prison. For six months. For lying to investigators for taking performance enhancing drugs. She had to give back her 6 gold medals. For years my youngest daughter wanted to be an Olympic athlete. Only the best can make it to the top....


Figure Skating- I know you're thinking, 'Is that really a sport?" Former National Champion and Olympian Christopher Bowman- dead at the age of 40 after years of struggling with a cocaine habit.

And then we have stories about those that we hold in high esteem:

IVY LEAGUE Harvard grad admits stabbing to death someone who made fun of him; Hanover (Dartmouth) High School students disciplined in cheating scandal: only those that confessed will be punished!!

The year has been filled with sad stories about famous athletes and their less than conscionable acts. And those are the ones that have been caught.

We are living in times where the line between right and wrong seems to be in constant motion- hard to see, hard to find, hard to define. What about rules and laws? Those seem to be pretty clear cut...but then again, just ask a lawyer.

Examples of otherwise smart people doing really stupid things seem to be the norm, these days. And this is the world our children see..this is a reflection on our society. The good news is sometimes the cheaters, fakers, and bad guys get caught and we can read about it. The bad news is that it happens at all.

Hopefully, the Tiger Woods's, Jim Rices and Chris Carpenters of the world will continue to have a more positive impact on the character and moral compass of our youth than Roger Clemens, Michael Vick and Marion Jones.